Report: Military, Security Appointments Will be Announced Next Week
إقرأ هذا الخبر بالعربية
The cabinet is expected to pass the long-stalled 2017 state budget plan next Monday at the Baabda Palace, amid an overall agreement between political parties to hold another session on Wednesday to finalize the security and military appointments in six top positions, al-Joumhouria daily reported on Friday.
Wednesday's session will see the appointment of military and security officials.
Brig. Gen. Joseph Aoun will be promoted to the rank of General to succeed Army Commander General Jean Qahwaji.
Brigadier General Imad Othman will be promoted to the rank of Maj. Gen. to succeed Internal Security Forces chief Maj. Gen. Ibrahim Basbous. Basbous will be referred to the diplomatic cords as ambassador.
Brig. Gen. Tony Saliba will be promoted to General to succeed Director General of State Security Maj. Gen. George Qaraa. Maj.Gen, Mohammed Sanan as deputy.
A successor for Higher Defense Council chief Maj. Gen. Mohammed Kheir will be appointed as well.
The daily added that the “basket” of appointments will include General Security chief Maj. Gen. Abbas Ibrahim, 59, who will submit his resignation from the military to serve the next five years, until he reaches retirement age of 64, as a civilian.
Moreover, it has not been ruled out that the position of director general of the Lebanese Customs, currently occupied by Chafic Merhi, will also be looked into.
Al-Joumhouria added, administrative appointments are said to follow and contacts are ongoing in that direction.
The appointments at the military posts is a contentious subject among political forces, especially that the Free Patriotic Movement says it rejects term extensions for any military or security official.
Former Defense Minister Samir Moqbel had in August 2015 postponed the retirement of Army Commander General Jean Qahwaji, Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Walid Salman and Higher Defense Council chief Maj. Gen. Mohammed Kheir, extending their terms by one year, after the political forces failed to reach an agreement on security and military appointments.
